Kanagawa Police Officer Misused 31 Expired Driver's Licenses for Decades
A police officer kept 31 expired driver's licenses from renewals, possibly for 30 years, to gather activists' photos. Here is how the National Police Agency responded.
Published October 22, 2026
Discovery and Investigation
In August, a backpack containing 31 driver's licenses was found at a train station. Police investigation identified the owner as a Kanagawa Prefectural Police officer.
The National Police Agency set up an investigative team to examine potential violations of privacy law. The agency has explained how the officer came to possess the licenses.
How the Licenses Were Obtained
The officer had collected old, expired licenses during renewals while assigned to the Kohoku Police Station.
Under standard procedure, a license holder surrenders the old license when renewing. The old license is returned to the holder after a hole is punched in it.
At the Kanagawa Kohoku Station, however, expired licenses were transferred from the traffic division to the security division. The security division used the personal information on these licenses.
Purpose of the Practice
The National Police Agency believes the purpose was to collect photos of right-wing and left-wing activists. The agency has classified this as unauthorized diversion of personal information.
Scope of the Practice
Interviews with multiple veteran investigators indicate the practice has likely occurred at several stations for at least 30 years.
Privacy Concerns
From the perspective of personal information protection, using personal information without permission is not permissible.
National Policy Response
No uniform rules existed for returning expired licenses. On the 9th, the National Police Agency issued a nationwide notice. The notice requires that expired licenses be returned to holders only after a hole has been punched in them.
Discovery of the Licenses
A Kanagawa police officer was found carrying 31 expired driver's licenses, which he had taken from renewals at Kohoku Police Station.
- 31 driver's licenses were found in a backpack left at a train station in August
- The owner was a Kanagawa Prefectural Police officer
- The officer had taken expired licenses collected during renewals while stationed at Kohoku Police Station
- The National Police Agency set up an investigative team due to potential privacy law violations
Misuse of Personal Information
Expired licenses were routed from the traffic division to the security division and used to collect personal information on activists, a practice that may have lasted at least 30 years.
- Normally, an old license is returned after a hole is punched in it
- At Kanagawa Kohoku Station, expired licenses were handed from the traffic division to the security division to use personal information
- The National Police Agency believes the purpose was to collect photos of right-wing and left-wing activists
- Interviews with multiple veteran investigators indicate the practice likely occurred at several stations for at least 30 years
- Using personal information without permission is considered improper
Nationwide Response
The National Police Agency responded by requiring expired licenses to be punched before return, since no uniform rules previously existed.
- No uniform rules existed for returning expired licenses
- On the 9th, the National Police Agency issued a nationwide notice
- Expired licenses must be punched with a hole before being returned